Portland's Best Wine Bar

Upscale restaurant, located within Cinetopia Theaters, offers international tappas-style small plates, live music, wine tasting events and theater dining service.

Reviews:

• “Great concept, Good steak, lacking customer service”
• “Don’t buy into the hype”
• “What a great experience!!!!! LOVE IT!!!”
• “AVOID THE “RESTAURANT” Just see a movie"
• “Wow! What a treat!”

Vinotopia Restaurant and Wine Bar or email Vinotopia Restaurant and Wine Bar

Waterfront wine bar offers American varietals, mainly Pacific Northwest, by the glass, bottles and flights; light bites and Internet access available.

Reviews:

• “Great wine, helpful staff.”
• “Best Wine Bar in Town!”
• “Best Wine Bar by Far!”
• “Great View and Good Opportunity to Try New Wine”
• “Love It, Love it – Burgers & Wine!! Yum!”

Tips: Thirst also serves domestic and imported beers.

Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro or email Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro

Seafood and Mediterranean fare for the pre- and post-theater crowd.

Reviews:

• “even grandma likes it”
• “Reserve a booth”
• “wonderful experience”
• “Great late lunch place”
• “Great Ambience”

Tips: Park at the lot on Salmon Street behind the restaurant and get your ticket validated for free after 5pm.

Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar

Parisian-style bistro offers convenient preshow noshing.

Reviews:

• “Disappointing”
• “Great Burgers – Attitude Needs Adjustment”
• “A Hamburger to die for…”
• “Customer Service Won Out!”
• “Don’t know what others were talking about.”

Tips: Located across from Keller Auditorium, Carafe is packed before shows. Reservations can be booked up to a week in advance. Or plan on eating after the pre-show rush ends at 7:45pm.

Carafe

Luscious wine, food and decor pay homage to artful indulgence at this Eastside neighborhood wine bar.

Reviews:

• “Great night out…. "
• “Bad food!”
• “used to be good”
• “horrible”
• “Elf portions”

Tips: Sample similar wines on flights—three two-ounce glasses organized by region or varietal.

Noble Rot or email Noble Rot

Modern-style bar offers a wide selection of favorites and eclectic wines served with a menu of complementing food plates.

Reviews:

• “Really unique space, GREAT wine list, fun owner”
• “Best little wine bar, ever!”
• “THE Place for Oregon Pinot Noir”
• “$0 degree red wine?”
• “Great lil’ neighborhood wine joint.”

Tips: Don’t know wines? Go ahead and ask for tips from the knowledgeable staff.

Pour Wine Bar & Bistro or email Pour Wine Bar & Bistro

Northwest-influenced Mediterranean creations are featured on a weekly rotating menu at this charming restaurant.

Reviews:

• “It’s like dining being in Europe”
• “Worst service. Mediocre food. "
• “Great food, wine and people.”
• “Mixed review…”
• “best upscale food in portland”

Tips: If you’re looking for a quiet night, try the early week, when you can chat with the owner and chef. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

Grolla Restaurant & Wine Bar

A fun-loving crowd flocks for decadent drinks, hip DJs and a sumptuous modern-art setting.

Reviews:

• “Stay away. It’s not worth it.”
• “What a place to relax”
• “comfortable atmosphere, FANTASTIC happy hour”
• “Very good food… service is fine if you go on off nights!”
• “don’t bother, it’s gone down”

Tips: Happy hour runs all day Tuesday and 4:30pm-6:30pm, Wed-Fri. T-dance Sundays start at 4:30pm and feature specially priced PBR and T-drinks, combining black or green tea with fruit juices and vodka.

Crush or email Crush

This casual wine bar in the hip Alberta neighborhood makes sipping accessible.

Reviews:

• “You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy this place”
• “Perfect Neighborhood Place”
• “My favorite wine bar”
• “pretty nice”
• “One of my favorite Portland hangouts”

Tips: Fridays from 5pm to 9pm, there are tasting events, often with a chance to meet the wine maker or learn about a certain varietal.

Every Day Wine

Relaxed, European-themed wine bar with desserts, light food and cocktails.

Reviews:

• “Cute place”
• “Nice quaint place”
• “Thick Wine Glasses”
• “Were we in a different Empire Room????”
• “Definitely a new favorite! Friendly, cute, and tasty.”

Tips: A stellar happy hour lasts from 4pm to 7pm Tuesday through Saturday; a few dollars buys a wine or a small plate. Also don’t miss the $3 martinis.

The Empire Room

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